"I do; I mean all I say. Come, sister! lay aside a weak prejudice that is unworthy of you, and consent to go with me and be introduced to this excellent young lady. You must know each other, and the sooner it takes place the better. I shall need your aid in breaking down our mother's prejudices, that have no better foundation than yours." Clara was silent. The last appeal of her brother had bewildered her mind. If what he said of Miss Hudson were really true, her natural good sense told her that Edward was right. But the prejudices of education were strong in her mind, and caused it to turn with unconquerable repugnance from the idea of intimate companionship with a music teacher, who was the daughter of a poor watchmaker. "Will you go with me to see her, Clara?" asked Baldwin. "Why should I do so?" she replied. "Have I not said?" "Surely, brother, you do not mean what, you say." "I surely do, Clara. Already there exists a marriage contract between this charming woman and myself. Ere long she will hold to you the relationship of sister. Know her, then, that you may love her as a sister. Know her for yourself, that you may rightly appreciate her worth, and aid me in introducing her to our mother's regard." Clara was too much surprised, and, in fact, confounded, to know what to do or think. As to calling upon Ella, she was not yet prepared for that. She wanted time for reflection. Her natural repugnance to doing so was very strong. As soon as Doctor Baldwin and his sister had retired, the young lady upon whom they had called to make a morning visit, went into the back parlor and said to Ella, who was still bending over the book— "I'm ready for my lesson now, Miss Hudson." Ella laid aside her bonnet, and went to the piano with her pupil. "You are acquainted with Dr. Baldwin," said the latter. Ella replied by a simple affirmative. "Where did you meet him?" "At my brother's wedding." Ella's manner expressed her wish that no further questions on that subject might be asked. But her superior and better bred pupil paid no regard to that. "Your brother, Dr. Hudson? Ah, yes! Whom did he marry?" "A Miss Lee." "Lee! To what family did she belong? One of any note in the city?" "I never felt interest enough in the subject to ask," replied Ella, rather coldly. "She was an orphan." "Then you don't like her very much." "Don't like her!" Ella's bright eyes were instantly in the face of her questioner. "I could not love my own sister better!" The young lady felt the rebuke. She would have been as passive to all impressions as marble had she not. "I suppose you have never met Miss Baldwin?" she said, after a pause. "No." "She was with him this morning." Ella made no answer; but there was a warmer place upon her cheek. No more was said upon the subject.